During my existence here on earth, I have come across many a strange thing and many a strange situation. I have therefore decided to document as part of a series some of the ironies that I happen to come across or happen to hear about.

Recently I read something online that indeed has the hall mark of one of the strange twists of destiny.

The news is with reference to a Pulitzer Prize winner for this year, a gentleman by the name of Paul Giblin of USA. Giblin learn't that he had won the award along with East Valley Tribune reporter Ryan Gabrielson in the “Local Reporting” category for their joint coverage of the Maricopa County sheriff's immigration enforcement operations. With the assistance of an editor, the award winners exposed the slow response to emergencies and reduced law enforcement as the sheriff dedicated more of his agency's resources to seeking out and arresting illegal immigrants.

While there is nothing ironical in this news, the irony lies in the fact that just three months before he received the award for his coverage in the East Valley Tribune, Giblin was laid off as part of ongoing staff cuts by the same East Valley Tribune.

While Giblin is overjoyed at having bagged the award, he admits to wondering how it would have been if he had found out that he had won when he had continued working in the Tribune's Mesa, Ariz., newsroom.

"It is kind of sad," he said. "I wish I was still at the Tribune. I'd have a party with them right now." Giblin continues to be loyal to his former employers and also visited the Tribune’s offices to share his happiness and celebrate with co-winner Gabrielson.

Being appreciated for my work and then being sacked in the same breath is nothing new to me for it has happened regularly to me but learning that a Pulitzer Prizewinner also suffers a similar fate is indeed an ignominy. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I deserve a Pulitzer. Lol.....

An irony of life indeed.